DataToaster 3000 - the Future of Kitchen Data Storage

In a groundbreaking fusion of design and cutting-edge technology, the DataToaster 3000 brings your kitchen into the 21st century. This innovative product combines the simplicity of a toaster with the power of network-attached storage. Storing data is as easy as making toast!

With toast slots compatible with 3.5-inch hard disks, the DataToaster 3000 instantly shares files across your network without subscription fees or the uncertainties of sending your data to the "cloud". With the DataToaster 3000, all your precious data stays crisp and ready, stored safely on your kitchen counter.

You’re probably already thinking that this is the greatest thing since sliced bread, but wait there’s more! The DataToaster 3000 also features a MoodGlow Knob, letting you change the color of the power LED for a personalized touch. Feeling energized? Set it to a bold red. In the zone and ready to focus? Cool blue has you covered. Ready to unwind after a long day? A calming green sets the perfect tone. There are endless possibilities!

Warning, DataToaster is not compatible with all storage media. White bread and wheat bread are not supported. Limited bagel support.

But seriously, the DataToaster 3000 is a fully functional NAS with two 3.5 inch hard disk docking stations built inside of a toaster. The hard disks can be easily swapped out (while it's powered off) without taking anything apart. It uses a Zimaboard x86-64 single board computer that can run many different operating systems.

You can build your own DataToaster 3000 with the following parts:

1. 3D Printed Parts (can be found here or on Printables)
2. Cheap Toaster
3. Zimaboard
4. Zimaboard Sata Y Cable Connector
5. Zimaboard power cord
6. Ethernet cable
7. 2x 3.5inch SATA Hard Disks
8. 2x7 Pins 14-Pin 2.54mm 0.1" Female Right Angle Header for Zimaboard
9. Arduino Nano
10. 100 Ohm Resistor
11. RGB LED
12. 100 Ohm Potentiometer
13. Wire
14. Custom DataToaster sticker (from StickerYou.com)

I started this project by removing the screws on the bottom of the toaster ( they are triangle security bits so I needed to use my iFixit Mako Driver Kit) and then snipping the cables and plastic connectors so I had a flat surface for the internals. I carefully measured the position of the threaded holes on the toaster base so I could attach my 3D printed base to them.

The most fun part of this project was designing the internal 3D printed parts in Fusion. These are the parts that make everything fit together inside the toaster. I used the measurements of the base on the previous step and designed a collection of parts to hold the Zimaboard in place, mount the hard disk slots, mount the potentiometer/power LED and also hold the new mechanism for the toaster lever. I even designed a port cover that fits perfectly around the Zimaboard to give the back of the DataToaster a nice clean look.

For the ports of the Zimaboard to be accessible, I cut a 80mm wide by 38 mm tall hole in the back of the metal toaster shell using the cutting wheel on my dremel. The port cover I designed has about a 10mm frame around it so I didn't need to be that precise. After cutting, I made sure that the Port Cover 3D-printed piece fit inside.

The GPIO pins of the Zimaboard are hard to access so I soldered a right angle header to them to make it easier. I drilled out the plated through holes in the circuit board in order to attach it. I made sure to go slowly and only use a small amount of solder as I wanted to be careful not to short any connections. You should make sure to reference the Zimaboard documentation on the GPIO pinout (they actually call it the "14P Panel I/O") for the position of the pins.

In order to allow the toaster knob to control the color of the power LED, I first created a circuit in Tinkercad to make sure it was working as I expected.

After I got that working, I tested the real thing on a breadboard and then a real project board. It requires a 100 Ohm resistor, an RGB LED, a 100 Ohm potentiometer and an Arduino Nano. It's a fairly simple circuit that I discovered and then modified slightly to fit my application.

Before final assembly, I wired up everything to test that all the components worked together. I plugged in both of my 6TB SATA Hard Disks and the RGB LED Knob Circuit to verify my wiring. I also made sure the Zimaboard power supply could handle the load for at least 15 minutes to be safe.

For the toaster slots to allow easy swapping of the drives in and out, I used hot glue to attach the SATA connectors to my 3D printed dock. I did this with the drives attached so I knew that the SATA connectors would be positioned correctly.

I used the four screws that came with the Zimaboard to attach it to my 3D printed base piece.

IMPORTANT: Only use one of the three provided plastic spacers that come with Zimaboard. Use the one that mounts closest to the Zimaboard, do not use the other two.

The four screws thread through the base piece, through the Zimaboard plastic spacer and then finally into the metal threads of the Zimaboard itself. The rear two screws also go through holes in the Port Cover 3D-printed piece to keep it in place.

I assembled the Knob Mount piece by attaching the potentiometer through it and securing with a nut, putting the LED through the hole on the left side and then sliding it into the slot on the front of the toaster base plate. I then ran the VIN wire from the Arduino Nano circuit to the +5V pin on the Zimaboard header and the ground wire from the Arduino to the GND pin on the Zimaboard. I made sure to tape the cable down so it wouldn't get pinched by the toaster outer shell.

I attached the Slider Outer piece into the notch on the Knob Mount part, and slid the Slider Inner piece through it. I also attached the Short Wall and Long Wall 3D printed pieces into the Base piece.

I plugged in the SATA cables and power connector from the Zimaboard SATA Y Cable connector into the Zimaboard and attached the Top Level Slots 3D-printed piece into the notches on the Short Wall and Long Wall. This was tricky because the cable is so short but it was definitely doable.

I carefully slid the toaster shell on making sure the potentiometer and toaster lever inner piece went through the appropriate holes in the shell. I then re-attached the triangular screws that I had previously removed.

With the outer shell attached, I inserted the Knob Adapter 3D-printed piece into the original toaster knob and then pushed it on so it would friction fit on to the potentiometer. I then took the original toaster lever handle and pushed it on to the Slider Inner 3D printed part for a friction fit there as well.

I plugged in power and Ethernet to test out that I could access the DataToaster on my network and it worked! By default, the Zimaboard was preloaded with CasaOS (running on Debian Linux) which makes it really easy to set up shared folders and install other apps via it's web interface. This was fine for my use case but if you want more control, you can configure it to your liking via SSH, install another Linux distribution or install another OS entirely.

Lastly, I added a custom-made DataToaster sticker from StickerYou.com to the front and put it on display in my kitchen. I really love how it turned out!